ART Core Competency Revision Committee
The CFAS Certification and Competency Committee is dedicated to advancing excellence, professionalism, and public confidence within Canada's Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) sector. Through the ongoing review and enhancement of certification standards, processes, and assessment frameworks, the Committee works to ensure that CFAS credentials remain rigorous, relevant, and reflective of current best practices in embryology and fertility care.
A key focus of the Committee's work is strengthening the ART Professional and ART Laboratory Director certification programs to align with internationally recognized standards for certification of persons, including preparation for accreditation under ISO/IEC 17024 through the Standards Council of Canada. This initiative supports greater recognition of certified professionals' knowledge, skills, and competencies while reinforcing the credibility and integrity of the profession.
In support of this effort, CFAS has established ad hoc committees to review and update foundational certification resources, including the Core Competency Framework and the ART Certification Logbook application. These revisions are intended to ensure alignment with current clinical practice, evolving technologies, and the changing needs of the fertility care landscape. Looking ahead, the Committee will also oversee a comprehensive review of the ART certification examination to ensure it remains current with industry standards, emerging evidence, and established best practices.
The Committee also supports the modernization of certification delivery through enhanced digital systems, streamlined application and renewal processes, and the development of a public directory of certified professionals. Together, these initiatives strengthen competency-based certification, support workforce development, and contribute to the highest standards of patient care in reproductive medicine across Canada.
Dr. Jason Au, MSc, PhD - Vancouver
Chair
Jason Au obtained his Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Reproductive Clinical Science from Eastern Virginia Medical School, his MSc in Clinical Embryology from the University of Leeds, and his BSc in Biochemistry and Chemistry from the University of British Columbia. He is a CFAS-certified Embryology Lab Director and has served as an executive in the ART Lab SIG for the past six years, taking on the roles of Treasurer, Vice Chair, and Chair. He is currently the Regional Laboratory Director at the Pacific Centre for Reproductive Medicine (PCRM) in Western Canada.
Jason brings with him the perspective of ART laboratory scientists and a deep understanding of their unique challenges. He is motivated to promote clear communication and high-quality professional development opportunities for members. He is committed to driving positive cultural change within the community by encouraging scientists and professionals to give back through the Society. He is particularly passionate about engaging the next generation of professionals and ensuring their perspectives are respected and heard.
As Regional Laboratory Director at PCRM, Jason supports laboratory directors and supervisors across PCRM Edmonton, Victoria, and Burnaby. His professional interests include embryo morphokinetics, non-invasive preimplantation genetic testing, and the application of artificial intelligence and robotics in the laboratory setting. With a strong focus on research and innovation, Jason has contributed to advancing reproductive medicine through both clinical practice and academic scholarship. He is an enthusiastic and energetic leader dedicated to fostering the next generation of embryologists and andrologists.
Dr. Sharon Mortimer, PhD - Vancouver/Australia
Dr Sharon Mortimer is a reproductive biologist and clinical embryology leader with over three decades of international experience in assisted reproductive technologies (ART), laboratory science, and fertility program development. She is currently Scientific Director at Westmead Fertility Centre, a role reflecting her long-standing focus on advancing scientific excellence, quality systems, and patient-centred fertility care.
She also holds several concurrent academic and leadership appointments. She is Honorary Senior Lecturer (Postgraduate Medicine) at the University of Dundee (2021–present) and Adjunct Professor in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at the University of British Columbia (2017–present), where she contributes to teaching, mentorship, and reproductive medicine research. She is also Co-owner and Director of Oozoa Biomedical, a biotechnology company focused on assisted conception technologies and laboratory innovation.
From 2018 to 2026, she served as Scientific Director of the NL Fertility Services Laboratory in St John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador, overseeing laboratory governance, clinical embryology services, and quality management systems. Her broader career includes senior scientific and leadership roles across fertility centres in Australia and Canada, where she has directed laboratory operations, commissioning programs, and clinical embryology services.
Dr Mortimer began her career as a clinical embryologist in the mid-1980s and has since worked across major IVF and fertility programs internationally, including leadership roles in Melbourne, Calgary, Vancouver, Burnaby, and Sydney. She has also contributed to laboratory supply and biotechnology ventures, including senior leadership in fertility-related commercial organisations.
Her academic background includes a BSc (Hons) in Biological Sciences from the University of Newcastle, Australia, and a PhD from the University of Sydney, followed by postdoctoral research in animal science. She has held multiple adjunct and honorary academic positions globally and is widely recognised for her commitment to education and mentorship of emerging reproductive scientists.
Dr Mortimer has co-authored more than 60 peer-reviewed publications and book chapters, as well as multiple international consensus guidelines in reproductive medicine. She is also the author and contributor to professional reference works including Quality and Risk Management in the IVF Laboratory (Cambridge University Press).
Her research interests include sperm physiology and kinematics, cryopreservation, fertilisation mechanisms, sperm function testing, and the translation of laboratory research into improved clinical outcomes in assisted reproduction. She is active in professional societies and has contributed to the development of certification standards for ART laboratory professionals in Canada.
In addition to her scientific leadership, she is a certified organisational coach (ICF ACC) and has an interest in leadership development, mentoring, and strengthening scientific communication within reproductive medicine.
Dr. Simon Phillips, PhD - Montreal
Simon Phillips is a clinical embryologist with over 30 years of experience in human embryology and assisted reproductive technologies (ART). He currently serves as Vice President, Laboratory Operations at The Fertility Partners and Regional Scientific Director for Ovo Fertility, where he oversees laboratory operations across multiple IVF centres and supports clinical and scientific program development.
Throughout his career, he has contributed to the advancement of IVF practice through the introduction of key laboratory technologies and methodologies, including vitrification, preimplantation genetic testing (PGT), and advanced oocyte assessment techniques. He has extensive experience in IVF laboratory design, team leadership, staff training, and the implementation of standardized clinical and laboratory processes.
Dr. Phillips has worked in both the United Kingdom and Canada and has held long-standing leadership roles within Clinique Ovo and The Fertility Partners, contributing to the growth and integration of ART services across multiple sites. He is a Past President of the Canadian Fertility and Andrology Society (CFAS) and serves as a clinical lecturer at the Université de Montréal.
He holds a BSc in Biological Sciences from the University of Plymouth, an MSc in Clinical Embryology from the University of Leeds, and a PhD in Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences from the University of Portsmouth.
Dr. Marie-Claude Léveillé, PhD - Montreal
Marie-Claude Léveillé, PhD, is a Canadian scientist and clinical embryologist whose career has focused on reproductive biology, in vitro fertilization (IVF), embryology, and assisted reproductive technologies. She is now retired after more than four decades of work spanning academic research, clinical laboratory leadership, and teaching.
She served as Scientific Director of the Ottawa Fertility Centre Inc. (2006–2022), where she was responsible for the scientific oversight and strategic direction of embryology, andrology, cryopreservation, micromanipulation, and research and development laboratories. She also contributed to quality assurance activities, including oversight of blood chemistry laboratory processes.
From 1989 to 2006, she held progressively senior roles at The Ottawa Hospital Fertility Centre, including Head and Coordinator of the Assisted Reproductive Technology Laboratory. In these roles, she led the establishment and operation of IVF-related laboratories, developed and implemented standard operating procedures, supervised technical and clinical staff, coordinated multidisciplinary clinical-laboratory services, and contributed to the development and evaluation of emerging reproductive technologies. She also collaborated on clinical and translational research projects and contributed to scientific publications and presentations.
Earlier in her career, she worked as a technologist in IVF at Maisonneuve-Rosemont Hospital in Montréal, and as a teaching and research assistant at the University of Montréal, where she supported undergraduate biochemistry instruction and laboratory supervision. She also completed research work at the National Research Council of Canada in enzyme purification and characterization.
Her academic training includes a PhD in Clinical Sciences (Université de Montréal, 1985), a postdoctoral fellowship in embryology (Western University, 1986–1988), and a BSc in Biochemistry (Université de Montréal, 1979). She also completed specialized training in gamete and embryo micromanipulation (Cornell-associated program, Vail, Colorado) and cryopreservation (Bourn Hall Clinic, UK), along with extensive postgraduate coursework in endocrinology and cell biology.
Throughout her career, she was involved in academic appointments and research affiliations, including as an Affiliate Investigator with the Ottawa Hospital Research Institute and Assistant Professor in the Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology at the University of Ottawa. She also contributed to professional training workshops and received early-career awards recognizing research presentations in reproductive medicine.
Her professional work has been centered on advancing assisted reproductive laboratory practices, improving clinical IVF outcomes, and supporting the development of reproductive science infrastructure in Canada.
Dr. Alysha Guest, PhD, Certified CFAS Senior Embryologist - Alberta
Dr. Alysha Guest is a Senior Embryologist at Regional Fertility Program in Calgary, Alberta, with over 15 years of experience in reproductive science, including clinical IVF laboratory work and reproductive research. She earned her PhD in Veterinary Medical Sciences from the University of Calgary in 2016.
In her current role, she oversees embryology laboratory operations and leads staff training and competency programs, including initial, ongoing, and return-to-work assessments for both Embryology and Andrology laboratories. She is also involved in CFAS certification support, quality assurance, and laboratory education.
Dr. Guest has experience working on multidisciplinary projects, including leading the embryology implementation of a new electronic medical record system at her institution. She is committed to advancing standards and education in assisted reproductive technology (ART) and is currently completing the Advanced Course in Clinical Embryology through the University of Athens.
She holds a BSc in Agriculture (Animal Science) from the University of Alberta and a PhD from the University of Calgary. Her research focused on reproductive development and fertility outcomes in livestock.
Dr. Khalid Rao, DVM, MSc - Toronto
An experienced laboratory operations specialist and supervisor with extensive expertise in Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART), including embryology, andrology, cell culture, and research and development. Demonstrates advanced proficiency in oocyte and embryo handling, in vitro culture systems, and embryo development, with a strong commitment to maintaining laboratory excellence and innovation in reproductive science.
Possesses a proven track record in designing, implementing, and managing research projects that integrate cutting-edge reproductive technologies while ensuring strict compliance with current legislation and ethical standards. Research experience spans multiple organizations, focusing on breeding and breed development through advanced ART applications, including transgenesis, reproductive biotechnology, physiology, embryology, endocrinology, and stem cell culture.
As a trained veterinarian, brings hands-on experience in both field and laboratory settings, performing routine livestock production and applying advanced reproductive techniques, including the development of transgenic animals. Combines practical expertise with strong scientific knowledge to contribute meaningfully to the development and execution of complex research initiatives aligned with regulatory requirements.
Social activities: Chief gent of one of the federal political parties and participating the meetings of the Advisory Committee of the Political Parties- Election Canada, contributing to informed dialogue and policy development.
Leila Maghen, M.Sc.,TS (ABB), Certified CFAS Senior Embryologist - Toronto
Leila Maghen is a certified Embryologist with over a decade of experience in assisted reproductive technologies (ART) and reproductive biology. Currently serving as a Senior Embryologist at CCRM/Hannam Fertility, Leila Maghen is highly skilled in all aspects of IVF laboratory practice, from gamete handling and fertilization to embryo culture, assessment, and transfer preparation.
With a comprehensive background in both embryology and andrology, Leila Maghen brings advanced expertise in sperm analysis and preparation, micromanipulation techniques, and the management of complex clinical samples. Her work includes embryo selection, biopsy for genetic testing (PGT), and cryopreservation of oocytes and embryos using established vitrification protocols.
In addition to technical proficiency, Leila Maghen plays an active role in maintaining laboratory excellence through quality control and assurance processes, regulatory compliance, and meticulous documentation. She has also contributed to team development by training and mentoring junior embryologists and andrologists.
Earlier in her career, Leila Maghen was involved in reproductive and stem cell research, contributing to multiple peer-reviewed publications in the fields of stem cell biology, microbiology, and reproductive science.
Leila Maghen holds a Master’s degree in Cellular and Molecular Biology and is certified by the Canadian Fertility and Andrology Society (CFAS) as well as the American Board of Bioanalysis (ABB) as a Technical Supervisor.
Known for a detail-oriented and disciplined approach, Leila Maghen is committed to delivering high standards of laboratory practice while supporting advances in reproductive medicine.